At his teasing, Padme rose a brow at him, but let it go. It was true and she knew it. Padme had never been great in the kitchen, not like her mother and her sister. Sheâd always been far too distracted and obsessed with politics to learn herself. Something she regretted at times. When she showed up in washington, those few months before Anakin appeared and joined her, she made do well enough with takeout and easy Earth recipes that her coworker had given her. âitâs a good thing youâre quite adept at it then,â she said, giving him a small smile and gently squeezing his arm as he took her other hand.
A fat raindrop falling into her hair caused her to glance up in surprise. As far as she had known, it wasnât supposed to have rained that day, but she wasnât complaining much, especially as she felt Anakin wrapping his robe around her. âthank you,â she replied as she slipping her arms through the sleeves, pulling the hood up over her hair and glancing down to the ground where the hem pooled by several inches around her feet. She laughed, shaking her head as she gathered up the fabric so it didnât drag in the ground and get dirty. âOr perhaps youâre just a giant,â she countered, appreciating his smile as she leaned up, pressing a kiss to his cheek before they continued on their way.
The coldness of the air conditioning in their home hit her skin and wet clothes, making her shiver as she shed the now soaked robe from her body and tossed it over her arm to toss into the dryer as she moved to turn the thermostat off, at least until they were both dry once again. She nodded her head. âyeah, a towel would be great, thank you.âÂ
She glanced back over at him when he spoke, her heart breaking a little as she approached him. She knew he struggled with himself and the darker sides of him, she knew he was riddled with guilt, with self loathing and that hurt her more than he himself ever could. She wished more than anything that she knew how to help him beyond her patient reassurances and unconditional love. She nodded her head, reaching up to stroke his hair. âOf course,â she whispered, leaning her forehead against his. âAnd youâll always have me and my whole heart too.âÂ
 At Padmeâs response, Anakin dipped his head down in a gentle nod with both corners of his mouth curling into a reserved smile. â Of course, there is no senator without her Skywalker.â One brow lifted at the words skating from Anakinâs lip,with another muted laugh slipping from his throat.â After all who else is going to save your skin time and time againâ Arrogance spewing in his tone. For that split moment, Anakin could feel the shell of his self returning.  It was no secret that he had been aligned with Padme since The Clone Wars. He  had often kept a close guard on her, not just as her husband but his duty as a Jedi, especially when she was negotiating peace. At times protecting Padme had become troublesome, espically when she placed  her  trust in the hands of Clovis. That very thought still irked at Anakin years later. Â
With Padmeâs forehead resting against his. Anakin hues languidly shifted up, holding a doting gaze on her. Heated flares sparked  through his skin. The corner of his lip curled tighter,with his smile stretching. â After all these years, your presence still brings me peace.â He spoke in a hushed tone. Anakinâs right hand slowly ran up the side of Padmeâs waist to the lateral of her cheek. His thumb drew short circles against the soft touch of her skin. As moments passed, silence filled the space between the two. â I know you  sense my  distanceâ With the words leaving the brim of his mouth in a still tone, the former Jedi turned his back to his wife,  while standing immobile for  an extended moment.  Anakin was strong within the force, in many ways even more so than Master  Yoda, and although Padme and Anakin had never spoken of it before, he sensed her slight union with the force as well.Â
A weighed exhale parted from his mouth,before Anakin proceeded further with another remark. â Padme, youâve always had such faith in me as not just a Jedi but as person__â  His voice cracked, with the words faltering from his lips in a burdened tone. â But I failed you every time.â  Anakin shut his  eyed immediately at that thought, with a line of tears treading down his eyelid. â Remember when I lost my mom and I killed that village, of women, children and men; but you still chose to marry me. You shouldnât haveâ  Anakinâs voice turned to almost a cold tone, thinking back to that night. A night he is still taunted by in his sleep.Â
 Anakin slaughtered all those in the village without a second thought. He was angry and rage ignited within him. Hate and fury that still consumes his thoughts often. Although logically he knows  the villagers are not to be blamed for his motherâs death, he still hates them  and would do it over  if  meant he could save her. â Last month, Darth  Vader destroyed lives. I am that very person Leia describes me as. I took her family from her, her home and I caused suffering to Luke.â  A sob left his mouth, with tears still streaming down Anakinâs cheeks.  â I donât remember, but Iâve seen it in my visions, even felt it with the force. The council was right, Iâm dangerousâ  Â